JP2004131248A - Paper carrying mechanism, and post-processing device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper carrying mechanism, capable of eliminating loss of a paper carrying function by vibration or the like to achieve high reliability, and a post-processing device provided with the same. <P>SOLUTION: In this paper carrying mechanism, an extension part 1a extended for a prescribed length toward a second member 2 to be applied to part of the second member 2 is formed on a first member 1. The extension part 1a is composed to be applied in such a direction as to prevent the first member 1 from getting off the second member 2. In addition, a rib-like projection is provided on a circumferential surface of the second member 2, preferably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a post-processing apparatus that stores a plurality of conveyed sheets, performs a predetermined post-processing (for example, a punching process, a stapling process, or a center folding process) on the stored sheet bundle, and then discharges the bundle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a highly reliable paper transport mechanism that does not lose its transport function due to vibration or aging.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus are stored, and a predetermined post-process (for example, a punching process, a stapling process, or a center folding process) is performed on the stored sheet bundle, and then the sheet bundle is discharged. Post-processing devices are known. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the post-processing apparatus X1 having such a configuration.
As shown in the drawing, a sheet P conveyed by an image forming apparatus (not shown) is conveyed by a conveying roller ro7 to a post-processing apparatus X1 which is provided (joined) with the image forming apparatus, and further downstream of the conveying path. Is transported to the intermediate processing unit 30 by the transport roller ro1 provided in the printer. (The flow of paper is indicated by arrow A.)
On the other hand, in the intermediate processing unit 30 for storing the transported paper P, a predetermined process (stapling process or the like) is performed on the stored paper bundle, and then the bundle of paper is transferred to the end of the post-processing device X1. It is discharged by a discharge roller ro6 provided in the section. (The flow of paper is indicated by arrow B)
A job tray 50 and a stack tray 51 are provided downstream of the discharge roller ro6 in the transport direction so that the sheet tray facing the discharge roller ro6 can be sequentially switched by moving up and down in the arrow Z direction. Here, the job tray 50 moves up and down so as to appropriately switch the paper tray facing the discharge roller ro6 according to the discharge mode (sort processing / group processing, etc.) selected by the user. It is possible to sort out the processed sheet bundle to be discharged to each paper tray according to the discharge mode. The stack tray 51 is raised and lowered so that the height of the uppermost surface of the sheets (bundle) to be stacked is constant, thereby enabling stacking of a large amount of sheets (bundle).
As described above, the conventionally-known post-processing apparatus X1 can perform predetermined processing (perforation processing, stapling processing, and the like) on the paper P to be carried in, and further, the processed paper P The sheet can be discharged according to a predetermined format, and the work efficiency of the user using the post-processing device X1 is improved.
[0003]
[Patent Document]
JP-A-2002-154739
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the paper transport mechanism Y1 provided in the above-mentioned conventionally known post-processing device X1 is configured as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part in the vicinity of the transport roller ro7, which is the paper transport mechanism Y1 of the post-processing device X1.
Specifically, the first member 1 (support on the cover 5) urged by a urging means such as a metal spring (not shown) in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow B in the figure). An openable and closable cover 5 (which can be rotated about an axis P1) (opening and closing directions are indicated by arrows A in the figure) (which is rotatable around a support shaft P2 fixed to the main body); Is closed, the second member 2 is in contact with the first member 1 so as to be pressed in a predetermined direction (the direction indicated by arrow C in the figure), and the driven roller is supported by the second member 2. ro7 ', an upper guide plate 3 (rotatable about a support shaft P3 fixed to the main body) which opens and closes in response to opening and closing of the cover 5 by a link mechanism 6, and a state in which the cover 5 is closed. The transport roller ro7 abuts on the driven roller ro7 ', and the lower roller facing the upper guide plate 3 is provided. It constituted by including a de-plate 4, a.
Further, FIG. 11 shows the operation of each part from the state where the cover 5 is opened (FIG. 11A) to the state where it is closed (FIG. 11C), and only the relevant parts are extracted. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the upper guide plate 3 is opened and closed by the action of the link mechanism 6 according to the opening and closing of the cover 5 (FIGS. 11A and 11B), and at the same time when the cover 5 is closed ( In FIG. 11 (c), the first member 1 provided on the cover 5 contacts the second member 2 provided on the upper guide plate 3 to move the second member 2 in a predetermined direction (FIG. It can be understood that the driven roller ro7 ′, which is supported by the second member 2, is brought into contact with the transport roller ro7 provided on the lower guide plate 4.
With the above-described configuration, in the conventionally-known post-processing device X1 (paper transport mechanism Y1), the cover 5 is closed to move along the transport path formed by the upper guide plate 3 and the lower guide plate 4. The guided sheet can be transported by a nip formed by the transport roller ro7 and the driven roller ro7 '.
Further, when the paper jam is recovered or maintenance work is performed, by opening the cover 5, the upper guide plate 3 is also opened in conjunction with the cover 5, so that a large work space can be secured. Worker's workability can be improved.
However, the above-described paper transport mechanism Y1 may have the following problems.
As is clear from the above description or from FIGS. 10 and 11, the paper transport mechanism Y1 contacts the first member 1 with the second member 2 so that the driven roller provided on the second member 2 is moved. ro7 'is brought into contact with the transport roller ro7, and transports the sheet by the nip formed as a result.
Therefore, when the contact between the first member 1 and the second member 2 is released, the driven roller ro7 'cannot be brought into contact with the transport roller ro7, and the function of transporting the paper is lost. I will.
Such a situation may be caused by the vibration generated by the operation of the paper transport mechanism Y1 or in a direction in which the upper guide plate 3 releases the contact between the first member 1 and the second member 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 10). , In the direction in which the bent portion 3a expands).
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an openable / closable cover having a first member biased in a predetermined direction, and a cover which is pressed in a predetermined direction. A second member that comes into contact with the first member, a rotatable driven roller pivotally supported at a predetermined position, and an upper guide plate that opens and closes according to the opening and closing of the cover; A lower guide plate opposing the upper guide plate, the sheet being guided along a transport path formed by the upper guide plate and the lower guide plate when the cover is closed. In a sheet transport mechanism configured to be transported by the transport roller and the driven roller, and in a post-processing apparatus including the sheet transport mechanism, the first member is also affected by vibration or distortion of the cover. A highly reliable paper transport mechanism that does not release the contact of the second member, that is, does not release the contact between the driven roller and the transport roller; and a post-processing device including the paper transport mechanism. To provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an openable / closable cover having a first member urged to a predetermined position in a predetermined direction, and the first member being pressed in a predetermined direction when the cover is closed. An upper guide plate including a second member in contact with one member, and a driven roller pivotally supported by the second member, and an upper guide plate that opens and closes according to opening and closing of the cover by a link mechanism; and a state in which the cover is closed. And a lower guide plate facing the upper guide plate, and a transfer roller formed by the upper guide plate and the lower guide plate when the cover is closed. In a paper transport mechanism configured to transport a paper guided along a path by the transport roller and the driven roller, the first member maintains contact between the first member and the second member. Rubeku configured as a sheet conveying mechanism, wherein the extension portion is formed to extend a predetermined length in the second member direction abutting a portion of said second member.
Here, it is preferable that the extension portion abuts in a direction that prevents the first member and the second member that are in contact with each other from coming off.
With this configuration, for example, even if vibration occurs in the paper feeding mechanism and a force acts in a direction to release the contact between the first member and the second member, the extension is performed. By forming the part, it is possible to prevent the contact between them from being released, and it is possible to improve the reliability of the paper transport mechanism.
Further, even if the upper guide plate is distorted (deformed) in a direction of releasing the contact between the first member and the second member due to aging, paper jam, or the like, the extension portion may not be used. Since the two members 2 are pressed in a direction that prevents the contact with the first member 1 from coming off, that is, the upper guide plate 3 is pressed in a normal direction without distortion, as a result, the upper guide plate 3 It has the secondary effect of correcting distortion (deformation).
Furthermore, it is preferable that a rib-shaped projection is provided on a peripheral surface of the second member pressed by the first member.
In this case, as will be described later, since the force acting on the second member can be received by the rib-shaped projection, the deformation of the upper guide plate 3 provided with the second member can be prevented. Can be prevented.
[0006]
According to the present invention, there is provided a paper processing mechanism, wherein the paper transported by the paper transporting mechanism is accommodated in a predetermined position, and the above-described paper transporting mechanism is applied to a post-processing apparatus which performs predetermined post-processing. It is also possible to catch as.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments and examples are mere examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a post-processing apparatus X according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a receiving unit of an intermediate processing unit constituting the post-processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate processing unit constituting the post-processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the configuration of a sheet transport mechanism according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view showing an opening and closing operation of the paper transport mechanism according to the embodiment, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the first member, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the second member, and FIG. 8 shows a contact state of the first member and the second member. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventionally known post-processing apparatus X1, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a configuration of a conventionally known paper transport mechanism, and FIG. 11 is an opening and closing operation of a conventionally known paper transport mechanism. FIG.
[0008]
The post-processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention has an entire cross-sectional structure as shown in FIG. 1 and is connected to the image forming apparatus W on the right side surface in the drawing. Accordingly, a sheet inlet 11 for receiving an image-formed sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus W is provided on the right side of the post-processing apparatus X as viewed in FIG. A punching means 70 for punching a sheet is provided in the middle of the sheet transport path r1 provided following the sheet inlet 11, and according to a predetermined control command from the image forming apparatus W, the sheet is punched. Drilling processing is performed at a predetermined position.
The transport path r1 is branched into a transport path r2 for guiding the paper upward and a transport path r3 for guiding the paper downward, and which transport path is guided by a movable guide g1 that is swingably provided. It is configured to be switchable.
The transport path r2 that guides the paper upward is further connected to a transport path r22 that guides the paper being transported in the direction along the peripheral surface of the large evacuation drum 21 and then guides the paper to the transport path r3 that travels downward. .
Then, the sheet transported to the transport path r22 is temporarily retracted along the peripheral surface of the retracting drum 21 and then sent out to the transport path r3 by the rotation of the retracting drum 21.
Further, the sheet guided to the conveyance path r3 heading downward is guided to an intermediate processing unit 30 provided below the movable guide g1 (at the center of the post-processing apparatus).
[0009]
The intermediate processing unit 30 includes an intermediate tray 31 that is provided obliquely, a first sheet end receiving portion 32 that is swingably provided at a predetermined position near the vertical center of the intermediate tray 31, A second sheet end receiving portion 33 movably provided up and down along the tray 31, and first and second staple means 34 provided near the center of the intermediate tray 31 in the vertical direction and performing staple processing on sheets. , 35 are provided. The second sheet end receiving portion 33 is attached to an endless belt 37a, and is configured to move up and down by forward / reverse rotation of the endless belt 37a.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the intermediate processing unit 30 includes the intermediate tray 31, the first and second sheet end receiving portions 32 and 33, the first and second staples 34, 35, and a cover unit 30b provided with a first staple receiving portion 34 'facing the first staple means 34, and the like. 30b is configured to be detachable from the receiving unit 30a. Although not shown in the drawing, as will be described in detail later, between the receiving unit 30a and the cover unit 30b, both are fixed in a close state and unlocked as necessary. Locking mechanism is provided.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the cover unit 30b is separated from and approaches the receiving unit 30a. As shown in the drawing, the cover unit 30b is rotatably supported by the receiving unit 30a, and the rotation causes the cover unit 30b to approach the receiving unit 30a (see FIG. The position (a)) or the distance (the position (b) in FIG. 3) can be moved. Further, the intermediate processing unit 30 is configured to be able to be pulled out from the main body of the post-processing device X toward the front in FIG. 1. After the intermediate processing unit 30 is drawn out, the cover unit 30 b is received by the receiving unit. By separating the intermediate processing unit 30 from the side unit 30a, it is possible to easily perform a jam clearance operation, a maintenance operation, and the like of the intermediate processing unit 30.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the receiving unit 30a of the intermediate processing unit 30 as viewed from the paper inlet 11 side.
The first staple means 34 are arranged in pairs at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the paper (the direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2)). It is used when performing staple processing at the center in the width direction and staple processing (so-called saddle stitching) at the center in the sheet conveyance direction. The second stapling means 35 is disposed obliquely near one end in the width direction of the sheet, and is used when performing a stapling process at a corner of the sheet. The first staple receiving portion 34 'is provided on the cover unit 30b (see FIG. 3) at a position facing the first staple means 34.
[0010]
The sheet guided to the transport path r3 shown in FIG. 1 is transported downward by a transport roller ro1 provided above the intermediate processing unit 30, falls off the transport roller ro1. One surface (the left surface as viewed in FIG. 1) of the falling sheet is received by the intermediate tray 31, and the leading end (lower end) is the first sheet end receiving portion. 32 or the second sheet end receiving portion 33. A plurality of sheets (bundles) stacked (stored) on the intermediate tray 31 are aligned by a predetermined sheet alignment mechanism, and then subjected to stapling by the first or second stapling means 34, 35. You.
Which of the first and second sheet end receiving portions 32 and 33 receives the leading end of the sheet is switched by the swinging operation of the first sheet end receiving portion 32. That is, when the first sheet end receiving portion 32 is at a position along the intermediate tray 31 (a position close to, hereinafter referred to as a use position), the leading end of the sheet is the first sheet end receiving portion. 32, when the first sheet end receiving portion 32 is at a retracted position separated from the intermediate tray 31 by its swinging operation, the leading end of the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller ro1 is It is configured to be received by the second sheet end receiving portion 33 that has passed the first sheet end receiving portion 32 and has moved below the first sheet end receiving portion 32 and is waiting. . In the case of receiving a small-sized sheet, the second sheet end receiving portion 33 can be moved above the first sheet end receiving portion 32 to receive the sheet. In this case, the first sheet end receiving portion 32 may be at the use position or the retracted position.
For example, when it is desired to perform staple processing (so-called edge binding) at a predetermined position near the end of a sheet, the first or second sheet is loaded in the first sheet end receiving portion 32. The stapling process is performed by the stapling units 34 and 35. When it is desired to perform staple processing (so-called saddle stitching) near the center of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction, the second sheet end receiving portion 33 is moved to a position corresponding to the sheet size in a state where sheets are stacked. The first stapling means 34 performs stapling. Further, depending on the size of the sheet (a size larger or smaller than a size to be directly received by the first sheet end receiving portion 32), the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller Ro1 is temporarily changed to the second sheet. After the sheets are received and stacked by the end receiving portion 33, the first sheet end receiving portion 33 is also reloaded. In this case, first, the conveyed sheet is moved to a position corresponding to the size of the sheet (below or above the position of the first sheet end receiving portion 33). After the second sheet end receiving part 33 loaded with sheets received by the sheet receiving part 33 is moved to a position slightly above the first sheet end receiving part 32 (for example, about 2 mm above). (During this time, the first sheet end receiving portion 32 is at the retracted position), the first sheet end receiving portion 32 is swung to the use position, and further, the second sheet end receiving portion 32 is swung. By moving the section 33 below the first sheet end receiving section 32, the sheets stacked on the second sheet end receiving section 33 are transferred to the first sheet end receiving section 32. Transship. Here, the first sheet end receiving portion 32 is suitable for directly receiving a sheet (for example, A4Y / LTY size) of a size frequently used in the sheet processing apparatus X when the sheet is conveyed. When a sheet of a larger size is conveyed and the stapling process is to be performed while the sheets are stacked on the first sheet end receiving portion 32 ( That is, when edge binding is desired), the above-described reloading is performed.
Thus, for a sheet of a size that is frequently used, the sheet can be directly received by the first sheet end receiving section 32, so that it is necessary to perform positioning by moving the second sheet end receiving section 33. And staple processing can be performed quickly. Further, when performing staple processing (edge binding) at a predetermined position near the edge of the paper, a higher accuracy is required than the saddle stitching at the position where the staple processing is performed. Although it may be difficult to secure sufficient positioning accuracy in alignment, even in such a case, the first paper end receiving portion 32 that does not move and the first and second staples 34 that do not move, Since the positional relationship with 35 can be set with high precision in advance, it is possible to perform staple processing with sufficient positional accuracy.
[0011]
When the staple-processed sheet (sheet bundle) in the intermediate processing unit 30 is further subjected to two-fold processing (hereinafter, referred to as “center folding processing”), the sheet bundle is moved from the intermediate processing unit 30 to a position below the intermediate processing unit 30. The sheet is sent to the transport path r5 in the center folding unit 40 provided on the side, and is sent to the upper transport path r4 when the center folding process is not performed.
The sheet is sent out to the transport path r5 by a transport roller ro2 swingably supported below the intermediate processing unit 30. Usually, the transport roller ro2 is retracted to a position separated from a driven roller ro2 ′ arranged to face the transport roller ro2, and when the sheet is sent to the transport path r5, the driven roller ro2 ′ is used. And the paper is sandwiched between the driven roller ro2 'and the paper is sent out (transported) to the transport path r5 by the rotational force of the transport roller ro2.
The sheet (sheet bundle) guided to the transport path r5 in the center folding unit 40 is further transported by the transport roller ro3 in the center folding unit 40 and stopped at a predetermined position. Then, a pressing die 41 is pressed against the center of the paper in the conveying direction, and the paper is folded in two between two rotating center folding rollers 42 which are disposed opposite to the pressing surface of the pressing die 41 and are opposed to each other. While being sandwiched. The two center folding rollers 42 are urged in directions facing each other, and the folds are formed on the sheet by this urging force. The sheet that has been subjected to the half-folding process in this manner is conveyed in the direction in which the folded portion becomes the top by the rotational force of the center-folding roller 42, passes through the conveyance path r6 above the center-folding roller 42, and By a discharge roller ro4 in the center folding unit 40, the sheet is discharged from a lower sheet outlet 14 provided on a side surface opposite to the sheet inlet 11 onto a center folded sheet discharge tray 60 provided outside the sheet outlet tray. At this time, the sheet folded in the middle is suppressed and aligned by a sheet holding member 61 rotatably provided above the lower sheet outlet 14.
[0012]
On the other hand, the feeding of the sheet to the transport path r4 above the intermediate processing unit 30 is performed by a sheet feeding member 36 having a T-shaped cross section provided so as to be vertically movable along the intermediate tray 31. The paper feeding member 36 is attached to the endless belt 37b, and is configured to move up and down by forward / reverse rotation of the endless belt 37b, and is retracted to the back side (lower side) of the intermediate tray 31. It is also possible. The vertical movement ranges of the paper feed member 36 and the second paper end receiving portion 33 partially overlap, and the position at which the paper feed member 36 is moved to the lowermost end is better. The second sheet end receiving portion 33 is configured to be lower than a position where the second sheet end receiving portion 33 is moved to the uppermost end.
The sheet is sent to the upper conveying path 4 by the sheet sending member 36 configured as described above as follows.
First, with the sheet feed member 36 retracted to the back side, the second sheet end receiving portion 33 on which sheets are stacked is moved to the uppermost end. Next, the sheet feeding member 36 is moved from the lowermost end to the front side, and further, is moved above the second sheet end receiving section 33 to be loaded on the second sheet end receiving section 33. The stacked sheets are reloaded on the sheet sending member 36. Then, by further moving the sheet sending member 36 upward, the re-stacked sheets are sent to the transport path r4.
The sheet (sheet bundle) conveyed to the conveyance path r4 in this way is taken over by the sheet discharge means 62, and is rotated by the rotation force of the discharge roller ro6 provided in the sheet discharge means 62, so that the upper sheet exit 13 Is discharged to either the paper tray of the job tray 50 having a plurality of paper trays provided outside the stack tray or the stack tray 51 provided therebelow. The job tray 50 and the stack tray 51 are provided to be inclined so as to face upward in the sheet discharging direction. Further, the job tray 50 is configured so as to be able to move up and down simultaneously in the vertical direction, and sequentially switches which job tray 50 receives the sheet discharged from the upper sheet outlet 13 according to the stop position. The raising / lowering operation of the job tray 50 is performed when a so-called sort process or a group process is performed in which a stack of sheets stacked in a specified order is discharged to a plurality of trays.
Further, the stack tray 51 detects the height of the uppermost surface of the discharged and stacked sheets (bundle), and is controlled to move up and down by an actuator (drive mechanism) (not shown) according to the detection result. Stacks a large amount of paper (bundle).
[0013]
Next, the sheet transport mechanism Y provided in the post-processing apparatus X according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion near the transport roller ro7, which is the paper transport mechanism Y of the post-processing device X.
Specifically, the opening and closing operation includes the first member 1 (rotatable about the support shaft P1 on the cover 5) urged in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow B in the figure). The cover 5 can be freely rotated (opening and closing directions are indicated by arrows A in the figure) (rotatably around a support shaft P2 fixed to the main body) and a predetermined direction (in the figure, when the cover 5 is closed). (In the direction indicated by arrow C), and a second member 2 that comes into contact with the first member 1 so as to be pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow C, and a driven roller ro 7 ′ supported by the second member 2. An upper guide plate 3 (which is rotatable around a support shaft P3 fixed to the main body) which opens and closes in accordance with the opening and closing of the cover 5, and a transport roller ro7 with which the driven roller ro7 'comes in contact with the cover 5 closed. And a lower guide plate 4 opposed to the upper guide plate 3.
FIG. 5 shows the operation of each part from the state where the cover 5 is opened (FIG. 5 (a)) to the state where it is closed (FIG. 5 (c)), and only the relevant parts are extracted. FIG.
5, the upper guide plate 3 is opened and closed by the action of the link mechanism 6 in accordance with the opening and closing of the cover 5 (FIGS. 5A and 5B), and at the same time when the cover 5 is closed ( In FIG. 5C, the first member 1 provided on the cover 5 contacts the second member 2 provided on the upper guide plate 3 to move the second member 2 in a predetermined direction (FIG. 5C). 5 (downward toward 5) to make the driven roller ro7 ′ pivotally supported by the second member 2 abut against the transport roller ro7 provided on the lower guide plate 4.
The basic configuration described above is the same as that of the above-described post-processing apparatus X1 (paper transport mechanism Y1) of the conventional configuration, whereby the upper guide plate 3 and the lower guide plate 4 are closed by closing the cover 5. The paper guided along the transport path formed by the roller can be transported by a nip formed by the transport roller ro7 and the driven roller ro7 ', and the upper guide plate is interlocked with the cover 5. Since the sheet 3 is also opened, the operability of paper jam recovery and maintenance work can be improved.
Here, the post-processing apparatus X (paper transport mechanism Y) according to the present embodiment is configured to allow the first member 1 to maintain the second member 2 in contact with the first member 1 and the second member 2. 2 is different from a conventionally known configuration in that an extension 1a extending a predetermined length in the direction of the second member 2 is formed in contact with a part of the second member 2 (see an enlarged view shown in FIG. 6).
Thereby, for example, in the direction in which the contact between the first member 1 and the second member is released due to vibration generated in the post-processing device X due to paper conveyance or predetermined post-processing (staple processing, center folding processing or the like). Even if a force acts, it is possible to effectively prevent the two from releasing contact, and a highly reliable paper transport mechanism can be achieved.
Also, the direction in which the upper guide plate 3 releases the contact between the first member 1 and the second member 2 due to a paper jam recovery operation or aging deterioration (in the example shown in FIG. 4, the bent portion 3 a expands). Direction), there is a possibility that the contact between the first member 1 and the second member may be released, which has conventionally been a problem.
However, according to the present embodiment, the extension 1a formed on the first member 1 moves the second member in a direction in which the contact with the first member 1 is prevented from coming off, that is, in the upper direction. Since the guide plate 3 is pressed in a normal direction without distortion, a secondary effect is obtained that the distortion (deformation) of the upper guide plate can be corrected.
[0014]
Here, FIGS. 6 and 7 show enlarged views of the first member 1 and the second member 2, respectively.
The first member 1 shown in FIG. 6 contacts a part of the second member 2 in order to maintain the contact between the first member 1 and the second member 2 with respect to a conventionally known configuration (shape). An extension 1a extending a predetermined length in the direction of the second member 2 in contact therewith is formed. A hole 1b is formed in the first member 1, and the first member 1 is rotatable with respect to the cover 5 by fitting the hole 1b into a support shaft P1 on the cover 5. Further, the first member 1 is urged in a predetermined direction (indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 4) by an unillustrated urging member such as a metal spring.
On the other hand, the second member 2 shown in FIG. 7 is characterized in that a rib-shaped projection 2a is provided on a peripheral surface pressed by the first member, in contrast to a conventionally known configuration (shape). .
The effect obtained by providing the rib-shaped protrusion 2a will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a contact state between the first member 1 and the second member 2 as viewed from a sheet carry-in (sheet inlet 1) direction. FIG. 8A shows the case where the rib-like projections 2a are provided on the peripheral surface of the second member 2, and FIG. 8B shows the case where the peripheral surface of the second member 2 is smooth (rib). (There is no protrusion 2a).
By the way, when the user (or service person) opens and closes the cover 5 while using (adjusting) the post-processing device X, the cover 5 is inclined, for example, as shown in FIG. In many cases, the cover 5 is closed with the swinging end side lowered (FIG. 8 shows a situation where the left swinging end side is closed with the swinging end side lowered).
In such a situation, as shown in FIG. 8, the first member 1 comes into contact with the second member 2 in an oblique state.
Therefore, when the second member 2 without the rib-shaped protrusion 2a shown in FIG. 8B is applied, the first member 1 approaching in a state of being inclined in the oblique direction becomes the second member 2. Since it comes into contact with the vicinity of the end of the member 2, an unbalanced load (the load direction is indicated by an arrow D <b> 2) is applied to the bent upper guide plate 3 in order to mount the second member 2. This causes distortion (deformation) of the guide plate 3.
As a result, since the second member 2 attached to the upper guide plate 3 is displaced from a predetermined position, the second member 2 cannot maintain contact with the first member 1, and finally, The function as the paper transport mechanism is lost.
However, in the present embodiment in which the second member 2 provided with the rib-like projections 2a shown in FIG. 8B is applied, even when the first member 1 approaches in an obliquely inclined state. Since the first member 1 always comes into contact with the rib-shaped projection 2a provided near the center of the second member 2, the first guide 1 is bent against the upper guide plate 3 which is bent to mount the second member 2. The eccentric load does not occur (the direction of the load is indicated by an arrow D1), and the upper guide plate 3 does not deform (deform).
By providing the rib-shaped projections 2a on the peripheral surface of the second member 2 pressed against the first member in this manner, for example, the cover 5 may not be closed straight (in parallel). However, since the upper guide plate is not distorted (deformed) and the mechanism as the paper transport mechanism is not lost, a more reliable post-processing apparatus (paper supply mechanism) can be realized. . In other words, the user can easily and quickly close the cover 5 without worrying about the parallelism of the cover 5 and the like, so that a more usable device can be provided.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the contact between the first member and the second member is not released even by vibration or distortion of the cover, that is, the contact between the driven roller and the transport roller is prevented. It is possible to provide a highly reliable paper transport mechanism that does not lose contact, and a post-processing device including the paper transport mechanism.
Further, by providing a rib-shaped projection on the peripheral surface of the second member pressed against the first member, a post-processing device with higher reliability and higher usability can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a post-processing apparatus X according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a receiving side unit of an intermediate processing unit constituting the post-processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an intermediate processing unit included in the post-processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a configuration of a sheet transport mechanism according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an opening / closing operation of the paper transport mechanism according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a first member.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a second member.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a contact state between a first member and a second member.
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventionally known post-processing apparatus X1.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a configuration of a conventionally known paper transport mechanism.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an opening and closing operation of a conventionally known paper transport mechanism.
[Explanation of symbols]
X: Post-processing device X1 Post-processing device Y: Paper transport mechanism Y1 Paper transport mechanism 1 First member 1a Extension 2 Second member 2a Rib-shaped protrusion 3 Upper guide plate 3 Bending portion 4 Lower guide plate 5 Cover 6 Link mechanism 11 Paper entrance 13 Upper paper exit 14 Lower paper exit 21 Evacuation drum 21 'Follower roller 30 Intermediate processing unit 31 Intermediate tray 32 First paper end Receiving part 33... Second paper end receiving parts 34 and 35 staple means 34 ′ and 35 ′. Staple receiving part 36. Paper feeding members 37 a and 37 b. Endless belt 40. Center folding unit 41. Folding rollers 50 Job tray 51 Stack tray 60 Center folded paper discharge tray 61 Paper holding member 62 Paper discharge means 70 Punching means ro1, ro2, ro3, ro7 Transport rollers o7 '... driven roller RO4, RO6 ... discharge rollers r1, r2, r22, r3, r4, r5, r6 ... conveyance path of the paper

Claims (4)

An openable / closable cover including a first member biased to a predetermined position in a predetermined direction;
A second member that comes into contact with the first member so as to be pressed in a predetermined direction when the cover is closed, and a driven roller that is supported by the second member; An upper guide plate that opens and closes according to
And a lower guide plate facing the upper guide plate when the cover is closed, and a lower guide plate facing the upper guide plate. When the cover is closed, the upper guide plate and the lower guide plate are provided. In a paper transport mechanism configured to transport paper guided along a transport path formed by a guide plate by the transport roller and the driven roller,
The first member is formed with an extended portion extending a predetermined length in the direction of the second member in contact with a part of the second member so as to maintain contact between the first member and the second member. A sheet transport mechanism characterized by the following. 2. The paper transport mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion contacts the first member and the second member that are in contact with each other in a direction that prevents the second member from coming off. 3. 3. The paper transport mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a rib-shaped projection is provided on a peripheral surface of the second member pressed by the first member. In a post-processing device having a paper transport mechanism, a paper transported by the paper transport mechanism is stored at a predetermined position, and a predetermined post-processing is performed.
A post-processing device, wherein the paper transport mechanism is the paper transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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